OT - Sam McGuffie (Rice's Best WR)

I was curious how our former highlight-reel RB was doing at Rice... and apparently, Sam McGuffie is Rice's best WR (!!!) and he grew a mustache.

Sam became a slot receiver this year after coming back from a knee injury last year. He prepared for becoming a WR this year by watching YouTube videos of Jerry Rice and Chad Johnson (formerly Ochocinco).

By using McGuffie in the slot, the Owls are counting on his speed - he's arguably the fastest player on the team - to create mismatches. The move also will allow the Owls to get some of their other playmakers on the field at the same time. The timing of the move is also not lost on McGuffie, who said he wants to help end the Owls' three-year bowl drought and showcase his skills for NFL scouts. "There are not many guys that can play each position on offense," McGuffie said. "I feel in my heart that I can do it." [Houston Chronicle]

Through five games this year, Sam has 22 receptions for 303 yards (avg of 13.8 yds) and 5 TD's (including an 88 yard TD reception against Houston last week).

Unofficial NFL draft sites have him listed as the 44th best WR in the country.

Apparently 33 receivers were drafted last year (link), and by my rough count 28 in 2011 (link). Assuming that trend is valid this year (and I am too lazy to look at more data), if he can get up to above #30 or so he has a chance.

I was intrigued by what you said, and it turns out this is pretty much spot on - over the past eight drafts, an average of 32 receivers have been drafted each year, so you are quite correct. That being said, when you have a receiver that sees defenders in the same way that track athletes see hurdles, I would certainly hope a team gave him a shot. His vertical is something like 3.5 feet, if I remember correctly.

By using McGuffie in the slot, the Owls are counting on his speed - he's arguably the fastest player on the team - to create mismatches. The move also will allow the Owls to get some of their other playmakers on the field at the same time.

Definitely thought mismatches was mustaches after looking at the picture and then reading quickly..

so you are saying that you can put all your best players on the field by changing positions... hmmm, so it would be legal to put denard at the slot or somewhere else and then put someone who actually reads the defense and then throws at quarterback?

As others mentioned, the first thing I thought was I thought McGuffie had stopped playing because of concussions. But WR is a (relatively) low-contact position for most downs, and he definitely would not be an every-down back in the NFL. Hopefully he'll get a chance, and even if not he'll graduate. Always liked him at UM, so wish him luck.

I often said when he was at Michigan that he would have been better used as a slot receiver. I liked his high school tape as much as anyone, but he didn't have the "it" factor for a quality Big Ten running back.